JustCad 4.00 Copyright (c) 2001 Jon Hoke

JustCad is written, with as few choices as possible, in order to keep it simple. The following is a tour, around the JustCad interface. It should be enough, to get you started. Each of us will develope our own habits, when using cad. The only way ,to learn JustCad, is by trying something and observing the results. You will soon find a path, which is comfortable for you.

The free version will fully function as a demo for (10) days. After this period, you may keep and use JustCad for as long as you wish in the free form or you may register your hard drive. which will enable JustCad to fully function on the hard drive at http://justcad.com. (The full version will fully function, only on the hard drive where the free version has been installed.)

Caption:

The caption contains the program name, followed by the current drawing name, followed by the current function and prompt information.

File
NOTE: The JustCad file system is case sensitive. If you attempt to save a file named "drawing.jcd" and a file exists in the target directory named "DRAWING.jcd", you will not be prompted to "Overwrite?". The save will however, overwrite the existing file.

Open Drawing:Clicking on this menu will display the file selector.The file selector behaves much like any other file selector.  When you click on a drawing name in the file list, it is displayed in the text box. You may then load the drawing by clicking on the Open button. If you are currently working on a drawing and you have made changes since the last save, the file selector will appear with a Save Changes caption.

Close:Clicking on this menu will remove the current drawing from memory. If you have made any changes since the last save, the file selector will appear with a Save Changes caption.

Save Drawing:Clicking on this menu will display the file selector.  If the drawing name already exists in the current directory, the save button will read "Overwrite?".  If the drawing does not already exist in the currenty directory, the save button will read "Save".  If you need to change the drawing name, click, on the text box with the filename, and enter a new name.  Do not add the file extension.  JustCad will add it for you.  The JustCad drawing file extension is ".jcd".

Save Selected:Clicking on this menu will display the file selector with selected.jcd as the file name.  If the drawing name already exists in the current directory, the save button will read "Overwrite?".  If the drawing does not already exist in the currenty directory, the save button will read "Save".  If you need to change the drawing name, click, on the text box with the filename, and enter a new name.  Do not add the file extension.  JustCad will add it for you.  The JustCad drawing file extension is ".jcd".

Printer Setup:Clicking on this menu will display the printer setup dialogue. This is a standard dialogue and should be familiar to Windows users.

Print:Clicking on this menu will display the print scale form. To print your selected objects fitted, just click on the print button or hit the carriage return twice. To print to a specific scale, click on the text box and enter a new scale. A scale of 1/4"=1'-0" would be entered as 48 because it's a ratio of 48:1. A scale of 3"=1'-0" would be entered as 4. A scale of1"=40' would be entered as 480. Clicking on the cancel button will deselect all selected objects and close the form. The selected objects will be printed centered at any scale.

NOTE: Entering distances in the input textbox; In Feet and Inches, 2Place Feet or 3Place Inches mode, entering feet and inches should 
appear, as follows; 12'3.5 (twelve feet, three and one-half inches) 12' (twelve feet) 3.5 (three and one-half inches) You may also enter 12.292' 
or 147.500" and it would have the same result.In English Metric mode, entering meters and centimeters should appear, as follows; 12'3.5 (twelve meters, three and one-half centimeters) 12' (twelve meters) 3.5 (three and one-half centimeters) You may also enter 12.035' and it would have the same result.In Comma Metric mode, all out-put has a comma in place of a decimal point. You may enter a decimal point or a comma when entering 
numeric data with the same result in any of the numeric modes.

Exit:Clicking on this menu will end the program.  If you have updated the drawing, since your last save, the file selector will appear with a Save Changes caption.
Note: If you close the program with the control box (X), and you have updated the drawing, since your last save, the file selector will appear 
with a Save Changes caption.

Undo:This function will undo the last data, which you have entered into JustCad.

Redo:This function will redo the last undo, which you have performed.

Utilities:

Measure Distance:Follow the instructions in the  prompt label.The results will be displayed in the long text box below. (Only by beginning and ending this process with a snap, will you get accurate results.)

Measure Area:Follow the instructions in the  prompt label.  The results will be displayed in the long text box below. (Only by beginning and ending this process with a snap, will you get accurate results.)

Numeric Display:Clicking on this menu will display a choice of Feet and Inches, 2Place Feet, 3Place Inches, Metric  or Comma Metric. In Feet and Inches mode the display would look like 12'-3 1/2". In 2Place Feet mode the display would look like 12.29'. In 3Place Inches mode the display would look like 147.500".In English Metric the display would look like 12.290m. In Comma Metric mode the display would look like 12,290m.

Angular Display:Clicking on this menu will display a choice of 3 Place Degrees or Degrees-Minutes-Seconds. 

Open DXF:Clicking on this menu will display the file selector.  The file selector behaves much like any other file selector.  When you click on a dxf file name in the file list, it is displayed in the text box. You may then load the dxf file by clicking on the Open button. If you are currently working on a drawing and you have made changes since the last save, the file selector will appear with a Save Changes caption.

Save DXF:You must first select the entities you wish to save with one of the select functions.(JustCad writes single layer files only) Clicking on this menu will display the file selector.  If the dxf file name already exists in the current directory, the save button will read "Overwrite?". If the dxf file does not already exist in the currenty directory, the save button will read "Save".  If you need to change the dxf file name, click, on the text box with the filename, and enter a new name.  Do not add the file extension.  JustCad will add it for you.  The dxf file extension is".dxf". 

Note: JustCad will load entities and dimensions but makes no claim of being compatable with AutoCad or any other commercial cad program. 
JustCad will write a graphic representation of the selected entities but it writes text in a generic fashion to avoid conflicts and the dimensions 
are not editable when loaded into the target cad program. JustCad reads and writes Release 12 only. You can open a dxf file in a text editor by selecting the All Files option. JustCad can only read a file, which begins as follows:
  0
SECTION
  2
HEADER
  9
$ACADVER
  1
AC1009

Multiple Lines:

Create:You may create a multiple lines definition by drawing a short sample of them and then selecting them with one of the select functions.
All of the lines should be drawn in the same direction. Click this menu and enter a name and then a reference point for the lines.

Open:Clicking on this menu will display the file selector. Follow the same proceedure for loading a drawing when loading a multiple line definition.
Note: (2) different multiple line definitions may have the same name. If you load a multiple line definition who's name is already in memory, it will simply remove the previous multiple line definition.

Save:Clicking on this menu will display any multiple line definitions which you have created in the list box (lower-right corner of the screen).Clicking on a name in the list box will display the file selector with a Save Multiple Lines caption. Follow the same proceedure for saving a drawing when saving a multiple line definition.

Remove:Clicking on this menu will display all multiple lines in the list box. Clicking on a multiple line name in the list box will remove it from the list and from memory.

Hatch:

Place:Clicking on this menu will display a list of loaded hatch definitions in the list box. You may then click on a definition name in the list.This will put JustCad in Place Hatch mode. You may then define an area to be hatched by drawing a boundary around it. When you snap to the first point which you placed on the boundary, the function will fill the bounded area with the selected hatch pattern.

Scale:Clicking on this menu will display the current hatch scale and prompt you for a new scale. A scale of (1) will fill bounded areas with 
the hatch pattern at the size it was created. Warning! Very small scales will create a large number of entities and make it seem as though the program has crashed. It simply takes a long time to fill the area with this many entities.

Create:You may create a hatch pattern by drawing a groupof objects
(lines, circles or arcs) which will form a pattern when placed in an area 
in a checkerboard fashion. Select the objects with one of the selection functions. Click on this menu. You will be prompted to enter a name for the hatch. You will then be prompted to enter the upper-left corner of the pattern. You will then be prompted to enter the lower-right corner of the pattern. 

Open:Clicking on this menu will display the file selector with a Open Hatch caption. Follow the same proceedure for opening a drawing when opening a hatch. The loaded hatch will appear in the list box.
Note: (2) different hatches may have the same name. If you load a hatch who's name is already in memory, it will simply remove the previous hatch.

Save:Clicking on this menu will display any hatch definitions which you have created in the list box (lower-right corner of the enterface). Clicking on a name in the list box will display the file selector with a Save Hatch caption. Follow the same proceedure for saving a drawing when saving a hatch definition.

Remove:Clicking on this menu will display all hatches in the list box. Clicking on a hatch name in the list box will remove it from the list and from memory.

Associates:

Associates are collections of objects which can be placed in the drawing as a group.

Place:Clicking on this menu will place JustCad in Place Associate mode. Clicking on an Associate name in the list box will display it on the screen for placement.
Note: If you wish to place another copy of the same Associate, simply left click on the screen and another copy will appear on the screen for 
placement.

Reverse:Clicking on this menu will reverse the current scale of the Associate(right to left). 
Note: Text and Dimensions contained in an Associate, cannot be reversed.

Create:(You must first have selected some objects in your drawing.) Clicking on this menu will prompt you to enter a name for the new 
associate.  When you have entered a name and hit return, you will be prompted to enter a reference point for the associate.  Entering this 
point will finish.

Open:Clicking on this menu will display the file selector. Follow the instructions for loading a file. After loading, the Associate will appear
on the screen to be placed.
Note: (2) different Associates may have the same name. You can't load an Associate who's name is already in memory. You must first remove 
the existing Associate from memory.

Save:Clicking on this menu will put JustCad in Save Associate mode. Clicking on an Associate name in the list box will display the file selector with a Save Associate caption.

Remove:Clicking on this menu will display all Associates in the list box. Clicking on an Associate name in the list box will remove it from the list and from memory.

Dimensions:

Open Arrow Style: Speaks for itself.
Closed Arrow Style: Speaks for itself.
Slash Style: Speaks for itself.

Arrow Size:Clicking on this menu will display the current arrow size and prompt you to enter a new arrow length.  This length is in real world dimensions. The length is pre-set to 4". (The size on the printout is determined by the scale of the printout.  Do some experimenting, to see the effect of this value.) The size of the arrow is also the dimension text size.

Move Dimension Text:Clicking on this menu will prompt you to select a dimension text. (Linear dimensions only) Clicking on a dimension text will highlite it and you can then move it, by clicking on a new location.

Tolerance:
 1/4": Sets dimension calculations to nearest 1/4"
1/8": Sets dimension calculations to nearest 1/8"
 1/16": Sets dimension calculations to nearest 1/16"
1/32": Sets dimension calculations to nearest 1/32"
 1/64": Sets dimension calculations to nearest 1/64"
NOTE: Tolerance only effects feet and inches mode.
   
NOTE: The ortho angle is also the dimension angle.

Text:

  Size: Clicking on this menu will display the current text size and ask you to enter a new text size. The text size is in real world dimensions. 
(Follow advice from arrow length.)

Font: Clicking on this menu will display the Font Dialog Box.  Choose a font from the list, by clicking on it.  The font style will appear in the 
settings box.  Click OK to accept of Cancel to exit.
Note: All versions of Windows do not have the same available fonts. If you need to share work with other JustCad users, it is best to make sure
all users involved have the same fonts available.
Note: The Style and Size choices in the dialog box have no effect on JustCad.

Left Justifiction: Speaks for itself.
Center Justification: Speaks for itself.
Right Justification: Speaks for itself.

Underlined(False): Clicking on this menu will toggle the menu caption to Underlined(True) or the other way around. If this menu reads 
Underlined(True), then all texted entered into JustCad will be underlined.

Change Selected Font:If you have selected (1) or more lines of text, or dimensions with a selection function, clicking on this menu will display the Font Dialog Box.  Choose a font from the list, by clicking on it.  The font style will appear in the settings box.  Click OK to change the font of the selected text or dimension to your choice. Click Cancel to exit.
Note: The Style and Size choices have no effect on JustCad.

Layers:

  First a word about layers.  Layers allows you to trace over something you have already drawn and then hide the layer on which you are not 
working, and continue.  For example; You could draw the plan of a room addition on one layer.  You could then, leave that layer visible, while 
you added the dimensions for the room on another layer.  You could then, hide the layer with the dimensions and add the electrical plan for the room on another layer.  You could then combine these layers in various combinations, to produce whatever printout you desire. You would, of course, need one layer with the border, to combine with the other layers, to produce a proper printout. You never have to draw the same thing twice.

Set Working Layer:Clicking on this menu and then clicking on a layer, will set that layer as the Working Layer. (The layer on which drawing data will be stored.)
Hide All Layers:Clicking on this menu will hide all layers except the Working Layer.
Display All Layers:Clciking on this menu will display all Layers.
Hide/Display Layer: Clicking on this menu and then clicking on a layer, will hide the layer, if it is currently on, and display it, if it is currently off.
Name Layer:Clicking on this menu and then clicking on a layer will display that layer name in the textbox at the top.  You may then change the name.  Hitting return will place the new layer name in memory. WARNING: Do not place the word "layer" or "LAYER" in layer names.
Un-name Layer:Clicking on this menu and then clicking on a named layer,
will un-name the layer and return the layer name to it's layer number.
Add Layer:Clicking on this menu will place a cursor in the textbox at the top.  You may then enter  the desired name of the new layer.  Hitting return will place the new layer and name in memory. 
Load:Clicking on this menu will display all layers in the list box. Clicking on a layer name will display the file selector. Selecting a drawing name and clicking on Open will place the selected drawing in your current drawing on the layer selected.
Save: Clicking on this menu will display all layers in the list box. Clicking on a layer name will display the file selector with the layer name as the drawing name to be saved.
Note: The layers are displayed in the list box as follows; The first item indicates if a layer contains any objects with a Yes: or a No:.
The second item indicates the status of a layer with an On:(layer is displayed) or an Off:(layer is hidden) or a WK:(layer is the working
layer). The third item is the layer name.

Filter

Clicking on this menu will display the filter settings form. When you are in the Window Select Filtered function, it will only select the layers, objects, line color or line style which you have set on the form.

Line Width:

Clicking on this menu will display a list of choices (1-8).These correspond, to a color, which will appear in the Pen Settings box.  These 
numbers represent the draw width of the printout. Number (1) being the thinnest and number (8) being the thickest.

Line Type: 

Clicking on this menu will display a list of line types. Your choice will appear in the Pen Settings box. (Non solid line types will sometimes appear not to meet at the corners.  This is only a display problem.  The point is where it should be.) The styles are as follows;
Solid:______________________________________________
Dash:__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ 
Dot:.....................................................................................
Dash-Dot:__ . __ . __ . __ . __ . __ . __ . __ . __ . __ . __ . __ .
Dash-Dot-Dot:__ . . __ . . __ . . __ . . __ . . __ . . __ . . __ . . __

Buttons:

(LI)Line:
  Line is a continuous function. You may begin a line with a left click or a snap. You may enter the next point with a left click or a snap or by 
moving the cursor in the desired direction and entering the distance. You may continue on from the last point by repeating the process.
(C2)2pt. Circle:
  You may begin a 2pt. Circle with a left click or a snap. You may enter the radius point with a left click or a snap or by moving the cursor in the desired direction and entering the distance. 
(C3)3pt. Circle (No keyboard entry):
  You may enter all (3) points on a 3pt. Circle with a left click or a snap.
(A2)2pt. Arc:
 You may begin a 2pt. Arc with a left click or a snap. You may enter the radius point with a left click or a snap or by moving the cursor in the 
desired direction and entering the distance. You may enter the end of
the arc with a left click or a snap.
(A3)3pt. Arc: (No keyboard entry)
 You may enter all (3) points on a 3pt. Arc with a left click or a snap.
(CV)Curve: (A series of tangent arcs) (No keyboard entry)
 You may enter all points on a Curve with a left click or a snap.
(EL)Ellipse:
 You may enter the beginning of the first axis with a left click or a snap. You may enter the end of the first axis with a left click or a snap or by moving the cursor in the desired direction and entering the distance.
You may enter the end of the second axis with a left click or a snap or by moving the cursor in the desired
direction and entering the distance.
(PT)Point:
(PO)Polygon:
 The number of sides will appear in the prompt. You may change the number of sides by typing a number and hitting the return key. 
(Maximum 64)You may enter the center of the Polygon with a left click or a snap. You may enter the vertex with a left click or a snap or 
by moving the cursor in the desired direction and entering the distance.
(ML)Multiple Lines:
 See the Line function.
(OD)Ortho Dimension: (Confined to angle)
 You must enter all points with a snap or by moving to the desired point using Blank Line. The off-set point may be entered with a left click 
or by moving the cursor in the desired direction and entering the distance.
(RD)Radial Dimension :(Cursor free)
 Begin by clicking near an arc or a circle. You may enter the off-set with a left click or a snap.
(AD)Angular Dimension: (Counterclockwise)
 You must enter all points with a snap or by moving to the desired point using Blank Line. You may enter the off-set with a left click.
(LE)Leader: (Pointer)
 Enter the text. You may locate the text on the screen with a left click and then a right click. When you have finished the text and hit the 
return key, you may enter the point of the Leader with a left click or a snap. You may enter the location of the text with a left click or a snap.
NOTE: You must enter all points, which are asked for, by the prompt, with a snap or by moving to the desired point using Blank Line(Except 
Leader) when dimensioning.
(TP)Text Place: Clicking on this menu will put JustCad in Text Place mode. Follow the prompt.
(TE)Text Edit: Clicking on this menu will put JustCad in Text Edit mode. You may then click on a line of text or dimension in your drawing 
for editing.

NOTE: All distances are relative coordinates. You may enter all points with a left click or with a snap function or by moving the mouse pointer away from the last point, in the direction you wish to go, and entering the distance with the keyboard and pressing the return key. 
(Do not click on the data entry text box. Simply begin typing and the keyboard entry will appear in the text box.)

(ZW): Zoom Window (Increases the size of all visible objects)
(ZA): Zoom All (Fits all visible objects on the screen)
(ZO): Zoom Out (Reduces the size of all visible objects)
Note: The arrow keys will scroll the drawing in the direction of the arrow key pressed.

Blank/Off or Blank/On: Turns blank line on or off.  When this button reads "Blank/Off" and you click it, you are turning on a line function and saving the current state of JustCad.  You can then draw a blank line or several, moving from a reference point, to a new point, at which, you can resume the last function.  For example; If you want to place a circle at point "B", which is 36" from point "A". You would begin, by clicking on the C2 (2pt. Circle) button, and then click on the Blank/Off button.  You would then click on SP (Snap Point) button, and then, click on point "A".  You would then, move the cursor toward point "B" and type 36 and hit enter. You would then click on Blank/On and you would be back in the 2pt. Circle function at point "B" and could then, simply move the cursor in the desired direction, and enter the radius of the circle. This function is great for inserting Associates at a specific location.

Ortho/Off or Ortho/On: When this button reads Ortho/On, the cursor movement is confined to the angle in the Angle display. When this 
button reads Ortho/Off, the cursor is free to move anywhere on the screen.

(SP): Snap to a point
(SO): Snap to an object
(SM): Snap to the midpoint of a line, circle or arc
(SI): Snap to an intersection
(ST): Snap tangent to an arc or a circle
(SN): Snap perpendicular to an object
(SF): Snap to a percentage of an object
(All snap functions are active for one mouse click on the screen only. You may enter any prompted for point with a snap function. The results 
vary however, and you should do some experimenting, to see how these functions effect the outcome of all drawing functions.)
Note: Holding down the Ctrl. key and left clicking on the screen will snap to a point. Holding down the Shift key and left clicking on the screen will snap to an object.

(OS): Click on an object to select it for editing or associate creation. This function is a toggle. If an object is selected, and you click on it, it will be deselected. If it is not selected, it will be selected.
(WS): Place a window around an object to select it for editing or associate creation.
(WF): Place a window around an object to select it for editing or associate creation (This function will select only those properties which 
have been set with the Filter Settings form.)
(SL): This function will select the last object or objects which were created in JustCad.
Note: Right clicking on the drawing area in one of the selection modes will display the Edits form.

Edits Form Buttons
Break: Object Break (You may break multiple parallel lines, at the same time) When breaking an arc or a circle, the portion removed runs from the first break point to the second break point, in a clock-wise direction.
Trim: Object Trim (You may trim multiple lines or arcs at the same time, as long as they are all trimming to the same object)Select objects 
for trimming, with the Object Select(OS) function. When trimming to an arc or a circle, there are (2) possible trim points. The point closest 
to where you clicked on the trim to object will be chosen.
Stretch: Object Stretch. You must select all objects which will be moved or stretched by the function.
Copy: Object Copy
Concentric Copy: Concentric Copy (Entering a positive number creates a larger copy. Entering a negative number, creates a smaller object)
Radial Copy: Radial Copy
Mirror Copy: Mirror Copy
Move: Move an Object
Rotate: Rotate an Object
Scale: Scale an Object (Linear Dimensions and Radial Dimensions will not scale. This allows you to draw a detail, add dimensions and text and then, scale it to a larger size, while keeping the correct dimensions.) To recalculate the dimensions, after scaling, select the objects and use the Stretch function(Select all points to be moved) and move the objects slightly.
Fillet: Round the intersection of (2) lines or a line and an arc or (2) arcs.(When you are selecting objects for this edit function, select  objects with the Object Select(OS) function, clicking on them, as far from the intersection, which you are wanting to fillet, as possible. You may change the fillet radius while in this mode by simply entering a new radius and hitting return.
Delete: Delete selected objects.
Change: Change Properties of selected objects.
Note: To deselect objects, click on a drawing function or click on Deselect All.

Text Boxes:

Entry Display: Prompted for information is displayed here.
% Used: Displays the amount of available memory used.
Ortho: Displays the current drawing angle. You may change the angle by clicking on the box and entering a new angle. You may also enter an "m" or an "M" and you will be prompted to enter the beginning and end of a match line which will set the angle to match the line.
Text: Displays the current text rotation. You may change the rotation by clicking on the box and entering a new rotation. You may also enter 
an "m" or an "M" and you will be prompted to enter the beginning and end of a match line which will set the rotation to match the line.
Associate: Displays the current Associate rotation. You may change the rotation by clicking on the box and entering a new rotation.
Hatch: Displays the current hatch rotation. You may change the rotation by clicking on the box and entering a new rotation.
Snap %: Displays the current snap percentage. You may change the percentage by clicking on the box and entering a new percentage.
Line Color and Style: Displays the current line color and style settings.

NOTE: Following the instructions in the prompt, will guide you through most functions. Don't be afraid to try something. The world won't end if you make a mistake. The functions are as simple as possible, without having them not work at all. Enjoy! Jon Hoke.
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